Since when did it become the norm to be late? Honestly, I know way too many people who have gotten so comfortable with showing up to things late. As someone who is always chronically early for things, I can’t even fathom the idea of walking into something 10 minutes later than I should.

Lately, it seems like being late isn’t just common, it’s almost expected. Plans are made with an unspoken grace period, as if “meet at 7” really means “show up whenever you feel like it.” And the worst part? No one even apologizes anymore. The days of texting, “So sorry, I’m running late!” are long gone. Now, it’s just a casual stroll in, completely unbothered, while the rest of us early birds sit there questioning our life choices. I hate that nowadays when I make plans with friends, 3 really means 3:15 to them. Like isn’t a simple respect thing? 

And don’t even get me started on the excuses. “Traffic was crazy” (as if it isn’t crazy every day), “I lost track of time” (conveniently, every single time), or my personal favourite, “I was on my way, but then I had to stop for coffee.” You had time to make a detour for an oat milk latte, but not enough time to get to the actual thing you committed to? Interesting.  And what really throws me for a loop is when it’s just late out of pure laziness. Like really? You feel the need to snooze your alarm 50 times before getting out of the bed? Not cool in my books. 

Now, I get it -sometimes things happen and are just unavoidable, sure. A dead phone, a last-minute work emergency, or an unexpected road closure can throw anyone off. But for the repeat offenders, it’s not an accident; it’s a habit. And it’s a habit that’s downright disrespectful. How did we just accept this? I’m putting my foot down in 2025. If I’m making the effort to get to our plans on time, then you should too?

What do you think? Am I being a bit too crazy about this, or are my feelings completely valid? I think as a society we’ve been taking lateness too lightly and it’s time to take a stand against this all.